Please help debunk!

[margotb822]

People in my office are flipping out (and they're all conservative, some are freepers).

I have read this and I don't believe it to be true. First of all, the "article" is full of "reportedly" and "no comment from the school." Second, the video (which was supposedly filmed on june 19th, the last day of the school year possibly), wasn't posted until two days before Obama was to address school children. Third the lyrics of the song, including calling the president by his full name and reference to equal pay, sound like something a conservative would write pretending to be liberal. It's stuff that would get a freeper riled up, not stuff liberals would even care for (beside the fact that the lyrics are absurd in general). Fourth, there is no one speaking or identifying themselves in the video, which makes me very suspicious. It could be anywhere.

Help me figure this out please!

I realize that this is from Faux Noise, but of course, this is the only place I can find any reference to the story: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/24/elementary-school-students-reportedly-taught-songs-praising-president-obama/?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a16:g2:r1:c0.174295:b27934924:z0

On edit: To spare you, it's a video of about 20 elementary school kids singing absurd songs praising the president.

On second edit: Thanks for all your help. I think this really illustrates a huge problem with Fox (and the MSM in general). In a rush, they post a story full of "supposedly" and "reportedly" yet don't bother to fact check. People get all riled up, over things that turn out not to be. In numerous updates, it has been determined that this took place in February, not June, was for Black History Month and that it's likely that the children wrote the lyrics and it may have been in conjunction with a visit from an author. But, of course, this would make it an old and benign story and FAUX can't have that...ugh

[Howardx]

1. i would think...

that fox being the only place you could find a reference to this story would tell you all you need to know.

[margotb822]

2. I have tried to point out all the holes in this "story"

but to no avail. I need some evidence that this is a hoax.

[Howardx]

3. why?

surely you have something more productive to do with your time.

[margotb822]

6. I do, now I'm just mad

And I really want to prove them wrong (and rub it in that they're crappy news source is full of lies and things that are easily debunked)

[Howardx]

7. see post #4

[jenmito]

10. MSNBC just played the video and will have a story on it coming up. n/t

[Solomon]

4. Why don't you just browse through DU. There's enough threads

to sew a quilt.

Total nonsense that wouldn't be a story at all, and it wasn't when they first trotted it out, until well after everything has been set-up with the stupid HitlerStalinMaoDictatorSocialistCommunistHypnotistofthewrongcolorinthewhitehouse, meme pushed by right-wing media.

[gateley]

5. They just showed a snip of it on MSNBC -- I didn't see the entire piece, but

my sense is that it's legit, but I could be mistaken. I'm sure we'll hear more (I'll post if I do).

[jenmito]

13. They're covering it now comparing it to Kim Jung Il. n/t

[gateley]

21. Yeah, I saw that. They could have left that comment for Fox. nt

[jenmito]

23. Yeah. Contessa thought it was creepy. I tweeted her...

as she requested people to do: "I see no problem with the students honoring the 1st Black president. The kids in the Jesus Camp praising Bush scared me."

[Ian David]

8. Show them THIS...

Jesus Camp Extract Praise Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxdt_f0hwUg

At least the kids in the Obama video aren't "speaking in tongues" and crazy shit.

[gateley]

16. Excellent. nt

[Ian David]

9. Why do your friends hate America and insist on undermining The Commander-In-Chief in a time of war?

Why do your friends want to give aid and comfort to the terrorists?

Are THEY terrorists?

Ask them if they work for Al Qaeda, or if they just hate our troops.

[Ineeda]

11. see link below, True event from last year, but the Faux spin

is ridiculous, as usual. Read article at link for a participant's parent's perspective. Wonderful, thoughtful, utterly responsible story.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-neuwirth/oreilly-rebuttal_b_134622.html

[margotb822]

19. I think these are different events

Thanks though

[Ineeda]

22. Exactly the same event...

Huffpo article linked above, dated Oct. 18, 2008. Exactly the same video (if you even bothered to look at them)and a first-hand account from a parent of one of the kids at the same link. Maybe you should read it. The Faux "report" is a bunch of typical hokum. You're welcome, though.

[margotb822]

26. First off

I was attempting to be polite. I realize that people aren't always nice to the new person (I was one once), but just because I question your article doesn't mean I think you're a troll (I don't).

I don't think they're the same, but I don't have access to youtube where I am, so I can't be sure. However, it has been revealed that the video from Fox is from this year (BHM 2009) and the Superintendent spoke to it, but the HuffPo article mentions that this took place in LA in 2008. I think if it were for Sing for Change, the school would have mentioned it. I also didn't see a link to a video on the HuffPo article. I also can't be sure that they're the same songs because I can't hear the lyrics. I will look when I get to a better location. Just from the descriptions, they sound like different events.

[Ineeda]

29. Sorry for the snark.

I've seen this several times, and I admittedly could be confusing the California event with a different one. The cute/creepy question was mentioned in the Huffington Post article, which also could have contributed to my (perhaps) confusion. Outrage at the crazy does that to me sometimes.

[Jennicut]

12. It is sad when all the RW has is ACORN and a song about the President.

[gateley]

14. MSNBC: No, this is not a clip of school children in North Korea singing the

praises of Kim Jong Il...

The school said it took place during Black History Month when they highlight and discuss African Americans' accomplishments.

I'm trying to think if I would be as incensed if it were Bush they were singing about, and I don't think so (if it was, say, American Presidents Month or something). It's pretty innocuous, I think.

The school also said the film was unauthorized. Obviously.

[jenmito]

15. Statement from Burlington Twp. Superintendent's Office:

"The activity took place during Black History Month in 2009, which is recognized each February to honor the contributions of African Americans to our country...our curriculum studies, honors and recognizes those who serve our country. The recording and distribution of the class activity were unauthorized."

[margotb822]

18. What's with the lyrics then?

They don't seem very appropriate...

Sorry, I'm in a place with no tv, so I can only see things on the interweb.

[jenmito]

20. I don't really see a problem with the words. n/t

[JuniperLea]

30. In the context noted...

What's wrong with the words? :shrug:

[JuniperLea]

31. 'puter hiccup!

accidental dupe

[Hansel]

17. Just tell them as calmly as you can...

"you really need to stop watching Fox. Seriously." Then smile, shake your head and walk away.

I did this with a guy I sit next to for several months before he finally started taking my advice. It works wonders. He is now a big Obama fan since he started doing his own research and getting his information from other sources. He and his Father are both Republicans but really like Obama now and think the Republicans have jumped the shark.

[gateley]

24. Wow -- a great story and a great accomplishment! nt

[and-justice-for-all]

25. Since it is Faux Noise, it lacks any credit...

The footage could have been from anything and anywhere, Faux likes to make shit up.

[margotb822]

27. That's what I said

It looks (and sounds) like a hoax to get people riled up (as I clearly am), but I guess the Superintendent has spoken to it. I just don't get "why now?" if it was from Black History Month. I'm waiting for more info on this "story"...

[jenmito]

28. MSNBC just played it again and Norah O'Donnell asked the Repub. strategist

what is wrong with the words in the song. He called it "indoctrination." She said, "Come on. How's it indoctrination to sing about equal pay for men and women?"